Houston, known for its culinary excellence and diverse dining options, is at the forefront of a culinary revolution: healthy fast food. The restaurants we visited are dedicated to crafting flavorful meals that are both nutritional and convenient. Join us as we explore how Houston’s innovative fast-food scene combines flavor and wellness like never before.
Bebidas
2606 Edloe St., Houston, Texas 77027 (corner of Westheimer & Edloe)
This family-owned restaurant from Adair Concepts, located in Upper Kirby, is known for their smoothies, acai bowls, rice bowls, and breakfast tacos. Among customers´ favorites are The Dude smoothie (banana, cold brew, date, almond milk, almond butter, and chocolate protein), The Kalelujah juice (kale, spinach, celery, apple, pear, lemon, and ginger), Acai Bowl (frozen acai, coconut granola, chia, and fresh fruits), and highly nutritious Brown Rice Bowl that includes avocado, radish, marinated chickpeas, kale, hardboiled egg, pumpkin seeds, and ginger miso.
Kids love gluten and nut-free Strawberry Banana smoothie (strawberry, banana, yogurt, orange juice, and gluten and nut-free honey), and never miss a visit to a snow cone stand attached to the side of the restaurant. An important detail: all menu items are identified based on whether they are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or nut-free, so you can't go wrong with your dietary restrictions. Bebidas is pet-friendly and even offers a dog menu! Bring your furry friends along to their patio and enjoy together.
HS Green Fresh Food Kitchen
5092 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77056
Opened in 2016, HS Green Fresh Food Kitchen is one of the top local spots for healthy but filling options. This health-conscious new American bistro advocates for clean eating. This means their food never has MSG, preservatives, additives, artificial flavoring, coloring, or corn syrup. All sauces, dressings, and salsa are made from scratch in-house, and only natural whole ingredients are used in all their food. They home make their juices that can be bought in store. HS Green's menu is vast, with something for everyone! It includes salads, wraps, bowls, grilled features, juices, beer & wine.
Try their popular Southwest Spicy Chicken Wrap with only 637 calories (grilled chicken, spring mix, cilantro, avocado, tomatoes, red onion, corn, black beans, chipotle aioli with lime cilantro dressing). Among other customers’ favorites are Rotisserie Chicken (¼ chicken served with lemon garlic herb oil, herb roasted potatoes, roasted broccoli, and cherry tomatoes), Grilled Salmon Plate (6 oz. salmon fillet served with rustic garlic mashed potatoes and spinach in a lemon butter white wine sauce), and Grilled Chicken Avocado sandwich (chicken breast with chipotle aioli, avocado, tomato, lettuce, turkey bacon, on a toasted pretzel bun, served with fruit). You can make anything vegan/vegetarian by swapping in tofu.
Leaf & Grain
5779 San Felipe St., Houston, TX 77057
Leaf & Grain is a small, Houston-based restaurant company dedicated to showing people that food can be tasty and filling and still be really good for you. Check out Leaf & Grain’s new location at 5779 San Felipe. This healthy eating spot is known for its delicious salads, bowls, and smoothies, all created from the freshest ingredients. If you have special dietary preferences, they can accommodate them with a variety of substitutions. Their Alamo Bowl is a must-try! It comes with brown rice, kale, avocado, shredded cheese, tomatoes, black beans, red onion, cage-free chicken, tortilla chips, and chipotle lime vinaigrette.
Try Good Greek Bowl (brown rice, spinach, romaine, Persian cucumber, tomatoes, diced red onion, feta, cage-free chicken, house-made pita chips, and Yia Yia’s Greek vinaigrette). Other mouthwatering options include Chicken Pesto Sandwich (roasted chicken, fresh mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, pesto, and honey-balsamic vinegar on ciabatta bread) and Common Table Bowl (kale, brown rice, arugula, Brussels sprouts, almonds, apples, goat cheese, cage-free chicken, and honey-white balsamic vinaigrette). Besides their amazing menu, Leaf & Grain does an amazing job of teaching and training its employees. It educates the staff and gives them tools to use in and out of the restaurant.
Fadi's
Several locations
Chef and founder Fadi Dimassi has been serving fresh Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine in Houston since 1996. Nowadays, he has six locations in Houston and nearby areas. The ample menu at Fadi's is based on authentic Lebanese recipes created by Chef Fadi and his mother. Nourish your body and delight your appetite with their fresh and flavorful bowls! Choose from the Lebanese Bowl, Harvest Bowl, or Falafel Bowl. Whichever you choose, your taste buds will thank you!
Fadi's fresh Harvest Bowl is one of the most popular among customers. It is packed with pita chips, quinoa, avocado, micro greens, beetroot, kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, and hummus with crispy onions. Hungry for more? You can add in chicken, shrimp, or falafel. Satisfy your vegan cravings with Fadi's Vegetarian Ultimate Sampler, a delightful assortment that'll leave you craving more. Try their orange, guava, carrot, or pomegranate juice. You can't go wrong with any of these. They're all so good!
Photos: Aidan Feldman and courtesy of restaurants mentioned in this post. Header photo: HS Green Fresh Food Kitchen. Opening photo: Ojo de Agua.
